Fire and Safety Winter Warmer Campaign
O R Tambo International Airport's annual Fire and Safety Awareness Campaign, in partnership with the South African Police Service (SAPS), was held at Emlotheni Section, in Wattville, on June 7.
This campaign formed part of the airport’s Winter Warmer programme and aimed to highlight fire prevention tips and provide safety education for communities who use fire for cooking and keeping warm.
Following the success of the 2013 campaign, which was attended by more than 1 000 community members, this year’s event was expected to attract about 1 250 residents from the area.
The relevance of this campaign is highlighted by the fact that, a few months ago, about 100 shacks burnt down in the area.
This time, despite the loss of homes and possessions, no lives were lost.
The fire and safety awareness campaign is designed to reduce the likelihood of events of this nature occurring.
In addition, blankets and hot water bottles were provided to ensure that residents keep warm this winter.
The residents were given green and orange wrist bands prior to the event, as a form of identification when collecting their blankets and hot water bottles.
The O R Tambo International Airport staff members ran a soup kitchen on the day.
The Emlotheni community was also provided with lifesaving fire extinguisher training.
“Winter brings fire hazards, especially in informal settlements, and teaching fire safety will enhance the knowledge within the community of Emlotheni,” said Clive Naidoo, O R Tambo International Airport’s fire and safety manager..
“Sources of heat, such as paraffin and gas stoves, heaters and braziers, if unattended, can result in fires that could cause death or the destruction of property within the communities.”
Unathi Batyashe-Fillis, manager of communications and brand management at O R Tambo International, said: “The airport remains committed to empowering its surrounding communities, which are susceptible to fires, with lifesaving information and preventative equipment.
“The fire and safety campaign is one of the ways through which we make a difference in the lives of those who are vulnerable to the risks posed by fire.
“We hope this training and awareness campaign will prevent fires and save lives in the Emlotheni Section and the immediate areas.”
